One of the most popular truck accessories here at Auto Image in Brick and East Brunswick are truck bed covers. If you have a pickup truck, protecting the contents of your bed from theft and damage from rain and snow is crucial. Several different manufacturers offer dozens of bed cover styles. The staff at Auto Image are here to help you get the perfect cover for your needs and application.
Soft Truck Bed Covers
Bed covers come in two primary styles: hard and soft. Soft covers feature high-quality vinyl or canvas construction that prevents water, dirt and debris from getting into the bed. Most soft covers are a roll-up style that use hook-and-loop fasteners or snaps to secure the cover to metal frame rails. Several soft covers also feature an aluminum frame in a hinged or tri-fold design that provides extra stability and support where snow loads are a concern. Soft covers are the least expensive option to keep your truck bed clean and dry.
Hard Bed Covers
The second and most popular option for truck bed covers is a hard design. The biggest benefit of a hard cover is the security it provides. Unlike a vinyl or canvas cover, a hard cover means thieves need to bypass a locking mechanism to gain access to the contents of your truck bed. If you store tools or personal belongings in your truck, a hard cover is your best bet.
Another benefit of hard truck bed covers is the ability to carry cargo on top of the cover. Different designs have varying load capacities, so check with us to find a suitable solution for your application.
Let’s look at the features of the different hard cover designs.
Hard Bed Covers: Folding Covers
Folding hard covers typically feature three or four large panels connected by a weatherproof hinge. These covers provide quick access to your truck bed from either side of the vehicle. You can flip open the last panel to load or unload small items or fold the cover up against the rear window of your truck for full access to the bed.
Hard Bed Covers: Roll-Up and Retractable Bed Covers
Rolling and retractable covers use extruded aluminum slats that roll up like an industrial garage door. These covers are easy to use and require very little lifting. Once rolled up, the cover sits at the back of the bed. Some covers roll up on top of the bed, while retractable designs include a compact enclosure that sits just beneath bed rails.
Hard Bed Covers: One-Piece Bed Cover Solutions
When it comes to one-piece bed covers, color-matched fiberglass covers are a great way to protect your bed contents while giving your vehicle a unique look. One-piece covers are also available in composite and polymer plastic construction. Most one-piece covers include hydraulic struts to help raise the cover and hold it out of the way while you load or unload your vehicle.
Bed Cover Options and Accessories
Different bed cover designs include a variety of options. Many hard covers are available with external locking mechanisms that use a key. Other cover designs feature a latching mechanism that is only accessible once you fold down the tailgate. If your vehicle has a locking tailgate, these covers offer a clean appearance and aren’t affected by dirt, grime, ice and snow. We also have shortened bed covers designed to work with toolboxes in both hard and soft designs. Retractable covers are available in a manual design or with a motorized mechanism and wireless remote control. We can easily add lighting inside your truck bed to assist in loading and unloading in the dark.
Auto Image is Your Destination for Premium Truck Bed Protection
Whether you need an inexpensive cover to keep leaves out of your truck bed or a color-matched fiberglass cover to give your truck a truly custom look, Auto Image in Brick and East Brunswick has a solution available. Drop by one of our stores and speak with our team. Alternatively, give us a call or send an e-mail for more information.